Weld leads Mullins 52-48

Dermot Weld has edged ahead of Willie Mullins in this year's titanic arm-wrestle to be Leading Trainer at the Galway Festival, having won the concluding Bumper at the meeting with First Figaro

Weld's horses, for once, haven't excelled this week but the Festival's 28 times Leading Trainer did match Mullins' one winner today.

Mullins' own seventh winner was gained in today's featured Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle with Valyssa Monterg which led home a 1-2 for the Champion Jumps Trainer and while Weld has endured a frustrating week and three short-priced defeats today, he still leads Mullins 52-48 points.

This year's unexpected but fascinating duel will be settled on Sunday with Mullins sending out five runners, against a pair of Weld runners.

Five points are awarded for a win, three from second and one point for third.

By Tom Weekes